Roller or needle thrust-bearings



Dec. 29, 1964 A. PITNER 3,153,478

ROLLER 0R NEEDLE mausw-amamcs Filed. March as, 1961 2!, 119,2 JhgJEgA United States Patent The present invention relates to a simple and cheap thrust bearing, comprising a circular row of substantially cylindrical roller elements (rollers or needles) held radially in a simple cage or retainer.

The method of manufacture of the cage consists in imparting to a ring by stamping a U-shaped cross-section which is open on one of the lateral sides of the stamping, in cutting-out in the bottom of the U-section a series of radial openingshaving the shape of an I, or like figure having parallel sides with enlarged and narrower portions, in forming inwardly curved metallic tongues on each side of the opening, in the narrower portions thereof, and in shaping said tongues in such manner that they conform with a small clearance, with a portion of the circular periphery of the roller elements.

When the roller elements are forced into position, by elastic deformation of the metal, they are held on one side by the fact that their diameter is slightly greater than the peripheral width of the enlarged portions of the opening, and they are held on the opposite side by the fact that their diameter is slightly greater than the distance between the edges of the free ends of the curved tongues, said roller elements being guided with a slight clearance by the shaped portions of the tongues in the vicinity of the pitch circle of the row of roller elements, the thickness of the cage being less than the diameter of said roller elements.

In the roller or needle thrust-bearing thus provided,

the rollers or needles project on each side of the cage so as to cooperate with raceways which are formed either on the structural parts between which the thrust-bearing is intended to be mounted, or on washers having a suitable hardness and surface characteristics. In all cases, the

thrust-bearing in service has a certain freedom of radial displacement and can be mounted off-centre with res ect to the structural parts between which the thrust-bearing is interposed, without thereby exposing the cage to any stresses, heating and damage.

Further characteristic features will be apparent in the course of the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front View of the different stages of manufacture of the cage;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are cross-sections taken along the lines 2-2 to 44 of PEG. 1 respectively;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section on a larger scale taken along the line 5-5 (Jr-Fro. .1;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan View corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; t a

FIG. 8 shows in cross-section a modification of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a corresponding partial plan View; and

FlG lO shows a modification of FIG. 9.v

Referring to the drawings, 1 denotes a stamped ring having a U-shaped cross-section, which is open on one of the lateral sides of the stamping, and comprising a flat bottom 2, two concentric cylindrical surfaces 3 and 4, an external annular 'flange 5 and an internal annular flange 6.

In the bottom 2. of the annular blank or stamping, a-

series of openings are cut out, for example by punching, said openings having for example the shape of an I and ice being arranged radially and equally spaced apart at a suitable angular distance round the washer. FIG. 3 and the corresponding sector of FIG. 1 show the second stage of the operation after stamping (which could also constitute the first stage prior to the stamping operation). The opening comprises two enlarged portions '7 and 8 and a narrower intermediate portion 9.

In a subsequent stage (FIG. 4 and corresponding sector of FIG. 1), which can also be combined with the preceding stage, the tongues 10 and 11 comprised between the enlarged portions 7 and 8 are curved inwardly as shown at 10', 11' in FIGS. 4 to 7. The cutting of the enlarged portions 7, ti of the opening has been effected in such manner as to leave incisions such as those designated by the references 12, l3, 14, 15 (FIG. 6), or these incisions are made simultaneously with the curving of the tongues, in such manner that the round elbows such as 16, 17 (FIG. 7)

are separated by a larger distance than the edges 18, 19 of the enlarged portions '7 and 8.

During this latter stage, or in a separate stage, the tongues 10', 11' are shaped in such manner as to form, in each roller-receiving socket of the cage, cylindrical surfaces Ztl, 21, which are substantially concentric with the roller element A and have a radius of curvature equal to the half-diameter of. the said roller element, increased by a small amount corresponding to the necessary clearance. Said cylindrical surfaces extend inwardly substantially from the radial plane xy (FIG. 5) containing the axes of the roller elements, up to the edges 22, 23 of the tongues, which are separated by a distance which is less than the diameter of the roller elements.

The cage thus formed can be subjected to thermal and hardening treatments, which are either applied to the whole cage or localized in those areas where the cage is adapted, when in use, to bear against the roller elements, that is to say the cylindrical surfaces 20, 21 and the end surfaces 24, 25 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, or against the raceways B and C, namely the external surfaces 27, 23 of the flanges 5 and 6 and of the bridge portions 26 remaining between the socket portions.

The roller elements'can be inserted into the socket portions after the operation of bending the tongues 10, Ill and serve as anvils or dies for shaping said tongues. However, the roller elements are preferably inserted into the sockets after completion of the cage, and they are I preferably forced in position, thanks to an elastic deformathe cage.

surfaces 20, 21, with the clearance which is necessary to allow for a lubricating wedge of oil. When the bearing is in use, they are adapted to contact said cylindrical surfaces, but they are prevented from rubbing against the portions 18 and 19, since the dimensions of the cage are such that the external surfaces 27, 28 come into contact with the extensions of the racewayC before the internal corners of the edges 18, 19 will come into contact with the roller element A. The clearance at 2t), 21 is preferably such that the surfaces of the bridge portions 26 are preventedfrom contacting the raceway B. 1

It will be noted that the narrower portions 18, 19 are located at the ends of the sockets. This arrangement increases the strength of the connection between the bridging portions 26 and the cylindrical rims 3 and 4 of This is not, however, essential, and the narrower portion or portions such as 18 (FIGS. 8 and 9) can be located near the centre of the socket while the areaavs as tongues 10, 11' are formed at the ends or adjacent the ends. In FIG. 8 the socket is shown as provided at the ends with notches 29, 30, intended to facilitate the cutting-out of tongues 10', 11. In FIG. 10, these notched portions are eliminated and the tongues 10", 11 are located at the ends of the socket so as to more efficiently hold the needles in parallel relation to the desired axis of rotation therefor.

It will be clearly understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been illustrated and described, and which have been given solely by way of example.

For example, the cutting-out of the opening from which the pocket derives can be made prior to the stamping of the U-shaped ring, while the bending of the tongues 10, 11 can be effected at the same time as the stamping operation, and the shaping of the bent tongues 10', 11 can be effected at the same time as the stamping and bending operations above mentioned.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A thrust-bearing comprising a fiat thrust-bearing cage comprising an annular stamping having a U-shaped cross-section open on one of the lateral sides of the cage and defined by innerand outer cylindrical sides and a plane bottom which is located on the opposite lateral side and is formed with radial openings having a generally rectangular shape, the opposite radial sides of each opening having edge portions in facing relation to each other and inwardly curved tonguesin facing relation to each other, substantially cylindrical roller elements received in said openings with the axes of said roller elements arranged radially of said cage, the distance between said edge portions being smaller than the diameter of said roller elements, and the inwardly curved tongues having the shape of portions of concentric cylindrical surfaces to provide radial sockets for accommodating each individual roller element, the distance between the free edges of said tongues being smaller than the diameter of said roller elements, each said opening extending to the outer cylindrical side of said U-shaped cross-section of said cage whereby the outer ends of said roller elements are engageable with the inner face of said outer cylindrical side to restrict lengthwise displacement of said roller elements.

2. A thrust-bearing comprising a flat thrust-bearing cage comprising an annular stamping having a U-shaped cross-section open on one of the lateral sides of the cage and the plane bottom of which, located on the opposite lateral side, is formed with radial openings having a generally rectangular shape, the opposite radial sides of each opening having edge portions in facing relation to each other and inwardly curved tongues in facing relation to each other, substantially cylindrical roller elements received in said openings with the axes of said roller elements arranged radially of said cage, the distance between said edge portions being smaller than the diameter of said roller elements, and the inwardly curved tongues having the shape of portions of concentric cylindrical surfaces to provide radial sockets for accommodating each individual roller element, the distance between the free edges of said tongues being smaller than the diameter of said roller elements, one at least of the cylindrical sides of the cage forming the sides of the U-shaped crosssection being extended on the open side thereof by a flat annular flange outwardly arranged with respect to said U-shaped cross section, and the diameter of the roller elements, the overall thickness of the cage, and the distance between said edge portions being so correlated that when said flange comes to coincide with the plane which is tangent to said roller elements, due to the play thereof in their sockets, said roller elements are kept out of contact with said edge portions of the opening formed in the bottom of said stamping.

3. A thrust bearing in accordance with claim 2, wherein each opening extends to the outer cylindrical side of the cage, forming one side of the U-shaped cross-section, whereby lengthwise displacements of said roller elements are restricted by abutment thereof against the inner wall of said outer cylindrical side.

4. A thrust-bearing comprising a fiat thrust-bearing cage comprising an annular channel of U-shaped crosssection open on one of the lateral sides of the cage and defined by inner and outer cylindrical sides and a plane bottom which is located on the opposite lateral side and is formed with radial openings having a generally rectangular shape, the opposite radial. sides of each said opening having edge portions in facing relation to each other and inwardly curved tongues in facing relation to each other, substantially cylindrical roller elements received in said openings with the axes of said roller elements arranged radially of said cage, said roller elements having convex ends, the distance between said edge portions being smaller than the diameter of said roller elements, and the inwardly curved tongues having the shape of portions of concentric cylindrical surfaces to provide radial sockets for accommodating each individual roller element, the distance between the free edges of said tongues being smaller than the'diameter of said roller elements, at least one of said cylindrical sides of the U- shaped channel being extended on the open side of said channel by a flat anular flange, the overall thickness of References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,172,858 Winkler Feb. 22, 1916 1,173,719 Hirth Feb. 29, 1916 1,598,025 Stevens Aug. 31, 1926 2,122,365 Beck June 28, 1938 2,359,120 Kilayin Sept. 26, 1944 2,417,559 Larson Mar. 18, 1947 2,591,160 Kilian Apr. 1, 1952 2,848,791 Neese Aug. 26, 1958 2,881,036

Neese Apr. 7, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE, CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0- Q 15o 147R Dated Deoemhev 94 106 -1 Inventor(s) Alfred Pitner It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading, column 1,. line 3, --of one-half interest-- should be inserted after "assignor".

SIGNED AR sEAII-T DEBT 27 I970 .Attest:

' WIHIIAM E. swunm, m. E ward M- F Jr. Gonmissioner of Patents- Attcsting Officer USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 1* us GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: Iss9 0-366-334 F ORM PO-1OS0 (10-69) 

1. A THRUST-BEARING COMPRISING A FLAT THRUST-BEARING CAGE COMPRISING AN ANNULAR STAMPING HAVING A U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION OPEN ON ONE OF THE LATERAL SIDES OF THE CAGE AND DEFINED BY INNER AND OUTER CYLINDRICAL SIDES AND A PLANE BOTTOM WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE OPPOSITE LATERAL SIDE AND IS FORMED WITH RADIAL OPENINGS HAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPE, THE OPPOSITE RADIAL SIDES OF EACH OPENING HAVING EDGE PORTIONS IN FACING RELATION TO EACH OTHER AND INWARDLY CURVED TONGUES IN FACING RELATION TO EACH OTHER, SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL ROLLER ELEMENTS RECEIVED IN SAID OPENINGS WITH THE AXES OF SAID ROLLER ELEMENTS ARRANGED RADIALLY OF SAID CAGE, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID EDGE PORTIONS BEING SMALLER THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID ROLLER ELEMENTS, AND THE INWARDLY CURVED TONGUES HAVING THE SHAPE OF PORTIONS OF CONCENTRIC CYLINDRICAL SURFACES TO PROVIDE RADIAL SOCKETS FOR ACCOMMODATING EACH INDIVIDUAL ROLLER ELEMENT, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FREE EDGES OF SAID TONGUES BEING SMALLER THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID ROLLER ELEMENTS, EACH SAID OPENING EXTENDING TO THE OUTER CYLINDRICAL SIDE OF SAID U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION OF SAID CAGE WHEREBY THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID ROLLER ELEMENTS ARE ENGAGEABLE WITH THE INNER FACE OF SAID OUTER CYLINDRICAL SIDE TO RESTRICT LENGTHWISE DISPLACEMENT OF SAID ROLLER ELEMENTS. 